Connector



July 7, 1942. J. F. BEAL CONNECTOR Filed March 9, 1940 lli] INVENTOR jaar: j. .5.94K

l l# ATToR Y WITNESSES:

- dames F.

Bryant Electric Uompany, sonorisation ci? Ecnnecticut spontaneo erstes c, reco, sensi No. scarce I @latina (m.

My invention relates, generally, to connectors.' and more particularly, to electrical connectors for automobile headlamps and the like.

'I'he object of my invention, Agenerally stated.' i

is to provide an electrical connector which is of simple and rugged construction, inexpensive to.-

manufacture, and which may be readily as- K sembled and installed.

A more specic object of my invention is to provide an electricall connector for an electric lamp having contact terminals of the prong type f which will securely hold the lamp in good elecwhen read in'conjunction with the accompany-- ing drawing, in which Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a connector constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2-is a view, in section, alongv the line lI--II of4 Fig. l of an assembled connector of a preferred embodiment of my Ainvention showing a partial view of an' electric lamp inserted into the Icon nector; f

Fig. Sis a View in section along line III-III of Fig. 2 showing one element of the casing, the contact members in section and a contact actuatf ing cam in the open position:

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the actuating cam in the closed position;

Fig. 5 is a planview showing a preferred construction of a cam utilized in the electrical connector of my invention;

Fig. 6 is a view in side elevation'of the cam shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 'Tis a plan view of a modied form oi the cam shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a plan View of a blank, from which a i. 1 Eridgeport,

@com asngnor to e Bridgeport, Conn., a

tion 2 and a base portion ,8. The cover portion and the baseporticn e are provided with i..

nels and openings or cavities Fand to molded `in the bodies thereofior reception or contact members 6,' contactmrongs l of a lamp and an assembling rivet or bolt e. The cover portion 2 oi the casing i is also provided with an arcuate slot I@ molded I in the underside of the rim portion thereof. The'slot contact member utilized iny my connector is the conl1l. and 12.

Referring to Figs. l, 2, 3 and e of the drawing, the connector, according to my invention, comprises a connector I of molded insulating ma terial constructed in two portions, a ccverpora I0 is provided with an integrally molded boss or lug II, located intermediate the ends of the slot. The base portion t. ofthe casing I is also pro'- vided with an arcuate slot I2 molded in the rim of the upper side thereof. The slot I2 registers with the'slot I0 in the cover portion Z'when the two portions 2 and 3 of the casing I are as- ,A

sembled. The rims of the cover and base por-- tions 2 and. 3 oi' the casing IA are also' provided with holes I3 and bosses I4 molded thereon, the bosses I4 registering -with the holes I3 when'the two portions 2 and 3 are assembled in order vto hold the two portions. 2 and 3 in alignment.

The contact Imembers 6 used in my novel connector and shown in Figs.,2, 3, 4, 9 and 10 may be formed from blanks l5' shown in Fig. 8. The blank l5 shown in Fig. 8 is provided with *an elongated opening I6 in the center thereof and cutout portions Il inv each side or edge of.' the blank i5. At one end. of the blank I5 there is formed an indentation as, which forms e. boss or' protruding portion IS on the other side of the blank is. The blank as is bent or formed into Il forma terminal or soldering lug 2t at one end of thecontact memberS. During the forming operation of the contact member 6, the side walls 2l are slightly bulged or deformed in anoutward direction with. respect to the space between the walls 2 l, as shown at 22. The bulge or deformation 22 is to provide resiliency of the contact walls 2l. Also during the forming operation of the contact member t, the ends of the walls 2i are bent or ared outwardly, as shown at 2e.

The ared portion is to facilitate the entrance of x the prongs l ofthe lamp 8 into engagement with the side walls 2l` of the contact member t. The boss is in the side wall 2l of the contact memberv t is provided to register with a correspong opening in the prong 'E of the lamp B, the purpose of which will be more fully explained herein after. l

This type of contact member is preferably used in my connector in conjunction with the form ci cam member 28 shown' in Figs. l., 2, 3, e, 5 and 3 wherein the cam member 2S is held in closed or locked position by the boss II in the slot l@ in `the cover portion ci the casing I, as will'be more so fully described hereinafter.

with the form of cam member 28a shown in Fig.4

7, the combined action of the modiiied form of contact member 8a and the cam 28a constituting a modified form of locking means as distinguished from that shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the 'Ihere is, however, a slight departure in the modified form of contact member 8a from'that shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, in that 'the soldering lug 20 is formed from a partially punched portion 24 in the body of the blank I5 and further that indentations or deformations 25 and 25a of dissimilar shapes are formed on opposite sides of the blank |5a, which, after the contact member 8a is formed, as shown in Fig. 13, appear in opposite walls 2| thereof. The elongated deformation 25a is provided to cooperate with the cam surfaces 3|a in cam member 28a. This modiiied form of contact member also has a deformed portion 28 and a. ared portion 21 formed therein for the purpose as explained in connection with the contact member shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Either type of contact member 8 or 6a may be utilized in my novel connector, however, the type shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is shown in the sectional view of the assembled connector as shown in Fig. 2.

In order to actuate the walls 2| of the contact members`8 into good electrical contact engagement with the prongs 'I of the lamp 8 and further to lock the lamp prongs 1 into the connector l, a

cam member 28, shown in assembled position in Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4, and in detailed views in Figs. 5 and 6, is provided.

The cam member 28 is provided with an opening or bearing portion 29 in the body portion thereof, a protruding or handle portion 30 yand cam surfaces 3|. The cam surfaces 3| on the cam 28 are shown in Figs. 5 and 6 as being formed .by rounding the corners of the cam member 28 and thus presenting a continuous cam surface.

s In assembling and operating my novel connector, the contact members Bare inserted into the channels I of the base 3 of the casing the terminal lugs 20 extending through the openings 5. The cam member 28 is then placed in positionl the opening 28 registering with a corresponding bearing portion 32 on the base 3. In placing the cam member 28, the handle portion 30 is positioned in the arcuate slot I8 and extends beyond the base 3.

'I'he cover 2 is then placed. on top of the base 3 and is aligned therewith by the holes I3 and bosses M. In this position the channels 4 in the cover 2 register with the channels 4 Ain the base 3 and with the upper portions of the contact members 8. The under surface of the cover 2 is provided with a bearing portion 33 similar to the bearing portion 32 and iits into the bearing 29 of the cam member 28, thus holding the cam member 28 within the casing. A suitable rivet or bolt 8 is then inserted through the central openings 5a in the two portions 2 and 3 of the casing l, thereby securing the component elements into a unitary structure.

When using a connector constructed in accordance with my invention, utilizing the preferred type of contact member 8 shown in detail in Flgs. 9 and 10, and the cam member 28 shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6, an electric lamp 8 having prong-type terminals 'l is inserted into the contact openings 5 of the connector. The prongs 1 of the lamp 8 are provided with indentations or holes which, when the prongs 'l are inserted into the contact members 8, register with the indentations or deformations |8in the contact members 8.

When the lamp terminals 1 are fully inserted into contact engagement with the contact members 8, the cam 28 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, as shown in the drawing, from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4. When the cam 28 is being rotated the cam surfaces, 3| engage the inner walls of the contact members 6 and force them into engagement with the prongs l of the lamp 8. This operation causes the deformations I8 to engage the corresponding deformations or holes in the prongs 1 oi the lamp 8 and thereby locks the lamp 8 in the connector as well as providing excellent electrical contact between the elements.

When moving the cam 28 from the open position shown in Fig. 3 to the closed position shown in Fig. 4, the cam 28 is moved through the arcuate slots I0 and I2 formed by the assembly of the casing portions 2 and 3 until it reaches the boss extending downwardly from the arcuate slot l0 in the casing portion 2. The handle 30 of the cam 28 being of semi-resilient material, such as insulating liber, is slightly bent in a downward direction with respect to the boss I and movement of the cam 28 continues in 'a counter-clockwise direction as shown in the drawing until the handle 30 of the cam 28 passes the boss |I. In this position the walls of the contact members 6 are completely compressed against prongs of the lamp 8 and the cam 218 is locked in closed position by the boss l| l, therebyclocking the lamp 8 in the connector Y|.

In order to remove the lamp 8 from the connector l, the handle 30 of the cam 28 is bent downwardly and rotated in a clockwise direction as shown in the drawing, past the boss to the open position, as shown in Fig. 3. Inthisoperation the cam surfaces 3| of the cam 28 disengage the contact members 6. permitting free movement of Vthe prongs l of the lamp 8 within the contact members 6, thus allowing the lamp 8 tov be removed from the connector The modified form of cam member 28a shown in Fig. 7 is utilized with the modied form of contact member Sa shown in Fig. 13. The cam member 28a having arcuate shaped notches 3|a in the body thereof is adapted to engage the elongatt d deformations 25a in the modied form of contact member 6a.

When using a connector constructed in accordance with my invention, utilizing the modiiied form of contact member 6a and the modiiied form of cam member 28a, as previously explained, the terminals 'I of the lamp 8 are inserted into the connector, the holes or deformations in the terminals] engaging the deformations 25 of the contact member 6a.

When the lamp terminals are fully inserted into contact engagement with the contact members 6a, the cam 28a is rotated in a counterclockwise direction. When the cam member 28a is rotated, the cam surfaces 3|a engage the elongated deformation 25a in the contact member 6a and thus lock the cam member 28a into closed or locked position.

the cam surfaces 3| a of cam 28a disengaging lthe elongated deformations a of the contact member Safthus -allowingthe terminals 1 of the lamp 8 to be easily removed.

In this form of construction of my connector the boss il in the slot l0 o'f the member 2 of the casing may or may not be used, the cooperation of the cam surfaces Bla of the cam member 28a, with the elongated deformation 25a, of the contact member 6a, providing the desired locking action.

Although I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, I am fully aware that many modications thereof are possible. My invention is, therefore, not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

i. An electrical connector comprising, a casing of insulating material having a circumferential slot in one side thereof, a plurality of contact members mountedwithin the casing, and a rotaty,

able cam member axially mounted within the casing in circumscribed position with respect to said contact members, said cam member having'v arcuate portions on the periphery thereof for engaging said contact members and operable to l simultaneously actua-te said contact members,

said cam member having anactuating handle extending through said circumferential slot to the outside of the casing.

n 2. An electrical connector comprising, a twoelement casing of molded insulating material having a circumferential slot in one side thereof said elements being provided with channels and openings molded therein for the reception of a plurality of contact members, a\b`earing portion*- on at least one of said elements', aninsulated rotatable cam member disposed intermediate the contact members in coaxial relation to said contact members and in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the contact members, said cam member having an opening' to register with the bearing portion of said elements and an integral handle extending through said circumferential slot, and means for securing the contact members, the cam member and the elements of the casing into cooperative relation.

3. An electrical connector for an electric lamp having contact elements of the prong type comprising, av split casing of molded insulating material, said casing having a cover portion and a base portion, said portions being provided with grooves and openings therein and having a circumferential slot in one side thereof, a plurality or resilient contact members disposed in said grooves and openings for the reception of said lamp prongs, a rotatable cam member of insulating material disposed axially in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis o the contact members intermediate said contact members, said cam member having cam surfaces on the exterior surface thereof and mounted intermediate the said cover and base portions in operative relation to said contact members, said cam member having an extension protruding externally of said casing through said circumferential slot, and a fastening device for securing the contact mem: bers, the cam member and the cover and base portions of said casing into an operative unitary structure.

d. An elect cal connector for an electric lamp having contact prongs comprising a twofelemen cas oi molded insulating material, said nur `prising a slot having a cover portion and a base portion, arcuate slots disposed in the rims of said cover and base portions, a boss `or lug member disposed intermediate the ends of said arcuate slots in at least one of said cover or base portions, said portions being provided with grooves and openings molded therein, a plurality of resilient clamp contact members disposed in said grooves and openings, a cam member of insulating material disposed intermediate the said cover and base portions in operative relation to said contact members, said cam member having'an extending portion protruding externally of said casing between the arcuate slots and adapted to be rotated within the casing between the limits of the arcuate slots and held on one side of the boss or lug member to actuate said contact members and securely lock them in closed position, and a rivet securing said casing, said contact members and said cam member into an operative unitary structure.

5. A socket for an electric lamp comprising a bi-element casing of insulating material, a plurality 'of contact members disposed within said casing, said contact members comprising a plurality of resilientblades provided with locking means for engagement of contact prongs inserted therebetween, terminal lugs on said blades, insulated actuating means partially disposed within said casing cooperating with the blades of said contact members, and latching means comand a lug on one element of the casing and a slot on the other element of the casing, said slots and lug cooperating with said actuating means for effectively securing the contact prongs between said blades.

6. A connector contact terminals of the prong type provided with holes or deformations therein comprising, a, multi-element molded insulating casing having disposed therein a plurality of resilient contact members, said contact 'members having deformations thereon adapted to engage the deforma-4 '1. An electrical connector comprising an in-l sulating body member having a circumferential slot in one side thereof, a plurality of resilient contact members disposed to receive other con= tact members supported by said. body member, a.

rotatable cam member axially disposed intere` lmediate the contact members for actuating` the resilient contact members, said cam member having an actuating handle extending through said circumferential slot to the outside oi the body member, said resilient contact members having convex portions thereonand said cam member having concave surfacesthereon adapted to en gage the convex portions on said contact members so that the cagn member becomes locked when actuated to a predetermined position there by retaining the resilient contact members in locked engagement with said other contact members.

Ms@ F..

for an electric lamp having K 

